How to Survive a Power Outage
When the power goes out, any home will not function normally since power is needed for all major appliances - even gas furnaces and water heaters.
Our electric cars will soon be able to power our homes for days, but that technology is not yet widely available. Below are a few ideas for low cost ways to keep you relatively comfortable and safe when the power goes out as well as a factsheet on home backup power options.
Backup Power Factsheet
Down load our factsheet for everything you need to know about home backup options like batteries, generators and EVs, and how they compare on cost and capability. Learn about the electrical loads in a typical home and how to conserve power in an outage to make backup systems last longer.
Surviving Power Outages
Watch our short video on how to use portable batteries to survive a power outage. These devices are widely available on the internet.
Portable Generators
When the power goes out, a relatively low cost portable generator can keep your home working and your family safe. Learn about portable gasoline and natural gas powered generators in this webinar - the highest power output option for the money.
DIY Tips for Surviving a Power Outage
Re-chargeable Batteries
Many manufacturers are producing small emergency batteries in a variety of sizes. They can be used to cook, to charge phones and computers and lights and even run air filters or small refrigerators, toasters and coffee makers. We recommend getting one that has 1 kWh or 1.5kWh in capacity which will typically get you through one day without electricity. Some EV’s have the capability to recharge these batteries. Expect to pay $500-$1,000 per kWh.
How big a battery to get?
The more devices you run on your battery, the more kWhs you will need. Here are a some scenarios to help you decide how many batteries would be right for your home.
Induction Hot Plate
For about $100, you can get a really effective induction hot plate to cook with. This will run on your portable battery and if you are careful, you can make several meals with one charge.
Battery powered lights
Keep a few rechargeable LED lights plugged in to your battery so they are always charged up and ready to go. They can run from 10 to 400 hours depending on size and brightness settings and cost from $20 - $60.
Air filter
If you have a power outage in the summer during a wildfire, you will be happy you have a small portable air filter to run on your battery. These cost $250 - $700 depending on the size. We are a fan of the Blue Air models that are very reasonably priced, simple looking and effective. One unit can keep one or two rooms very clean.
Propane Heater
Space heating takes too much energy for a small battery. If you need backup heat, there are portable indoor propane heaters that run for 3-5 hours on a replaceable cartridge. BE VERY CAREFUL USING THESE INDOORS - THEY REQUIRE VENTILATION FROM THE OUTSIDE! Carbon Monoxide poisoning can occur when burning propane indoors - so crack open a window and get a carbon monoxide monitor!
Electrical Services
Residential and commercial electrical services including backup power solutions and home electrification.
Service Territory: Portland/Vancouver Area
Phone: 503 894 1856
Contact: Daniel Eulberg
Website: conduitelectric.com